Dominguez gets second term as IMO chief
The IMO Council has approved a second term for Arsenio Dominguez as Secretary-General. His mandate will extend from 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2031. The decision now goes to the IMO Assembly for its late 2027 meeting.
Dominguez thanked the Council and all members for their support. He said he remains committed to their guidance on global shipping and seafarers. He took office in January 2024. Addressing the IMO Council meeting following the decision, Dominguez said: “I am deeply grateful to the Members of the Council and all Members of the Organization for their continued trust and support. I remain committed to following your guidance and contributing to our collective efforts in support of global shipping and seafarers.”
His first term covered a turbulent period for the UN agency. The IMO is working on decarbonising the global shipping industry. Last year, the Net Zero Framework (NZF) was delayed after intense political lobbying. The NZF faces another vote at the MEPC meeting on 4 December. The IMO, comprising 40 Member States, elected him in July 2023 for his first term, and his election was approved by the IMO Assembly at its 33rd session in December 2023.
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Dominguez’s tenure also saw increased geopolitical tensions. Commercial ships and seafarers became targets in the Black Sea and the Middle East. He has repeatedly spoken out on this issue, an issue he has repeatedly spoken out strongly on.
Dominguez’s re-election means he will oversee critical efforts to reduce shipping’s carbon footprint. The industry is under pressure to meet ambitious environmental targets set by the IMO. Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia. Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Below you’ll find a list of selected appearances: KBS World Radio – Korea24, May 2026; BBC News – Hindi Service, April 2026; RNZ – First Up, April 2026.
